Now a film based on Bombay mill strike

Kunal Kohli is moving away from frothy romances into grittier territory. The director of romances like 'Hum Tum' and 'Fanaa', has now bankrolled a film based on the Great Bombay Textile Strike. Vartak Nagar to be directed by debutant Atul Taishete, features Jimmy Shergill and Raghu Ram (of Roadies fame) in central roles.

Shergill plays the character of a powerful underworld don, while Raghu plays a union leader fighting to obtain wage increments for his workers. Set in the early 80’s, the film will be shot around the Central suburbs of Mumbai, with the abandoned mills of South Mumbai being used to represent the death of an era.

When contacted, Kohli confirmed the news. “It is a subject I have never attempted before. The film is essentially about the loss of childhood – how the strike affects the children who were raised at the point in time,” said the filmmaker.

When asked if Raghu’s character is inspired by the life of union leader Datta Samant who led textile mill workers on the year-long strike, he says, “There are various references to real life figures, but Raghu is not playing him. His role is that of a leader at a small level; not of Datta Samant’s magnitude.”

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